Crystal River, Three Sisters Spring, Florida, USA Nov 8, 2023

Manatees have a fascinating history that spans millions of years. They are closely related to elephants and can be traced back to the Eocene era (about 56 to 33.9 million years ago), making them one of the oldest mammals on Earth. These slow-moving herbivores have, over time, adapted to life in warm, coastal waters. Known for their friendly demeanour and unique whiskered faces, these sleepy creatures have always been welcoming towards humans. Sadly, they have been exposed to various threats, such as habitat loss and boat collisions, due to which raising awareness has become essential. So, if you visit Crystal River and come across a West Indian manatee, we encourage you to take a moment to appreciate them, but from a distance.

© Karine Aigner/Tandem Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Celebrating Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Nov 8, 2024Glacial rivers, Iceland
Nov 8, 2025Bandon Beach in Bandon, Oregon, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

A large forest with 6,000 of years of history
Mar 7, 2024Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
Jan 18, 2025Dunes at White Sands National Park, New Mexico, United States
Apr 18, 2024International Day for Monuments and Sites
Nov 28, 2023Varandha Ghat,Bhor,Maharashtra, India
Perfect, pastoral Palouse
Feb 26, 2025Maha Shivaratri
Mar 10, 2025Lion, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Southern tip of a northern isle
Something to ‘bee’ thankful for..
Sep 20, 2023Aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
May 10, 2025Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Shell-ebrating sea turtles
A pair of high achievers
Jun 28, 2025Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising
Jul 25, 2024Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA
May 4, 2025Mysuru Palace, Mysuru, Karnataka
Dec 8, 2024Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France
America’s backyard
Oct 13, 2024Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain
Sep 30, 2024Walruses in Svalbard, Norway
Jul 21, 2025Staghorn coral in shallow ocean
Jun 17, 2025Maritime forest in Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia, United States
Jan 14, 2024Whooper swans
Sep 16, 2023Splügen Pass, Switzerland
Nov 26, 2023Fallow deer, Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, England
Bridging the gap two ways
Himalaya mountain range
Jun 8, 2024Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska, USA
Jul 6, 2025Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, United States